There's a Joseph O'Brien brace on this Altar It was Joseph, Aidan, Joseph in successive races at Listowel with the younger O’Brien doubling up in the Behans Horseshoe Bar & Townhouse Maiden (Div II) through home bred Mastercraftsman gelding Druid’s Altar. Given the stallion he’s by, the successful three-year-old was never likely to have any bother with the testing terrain. The man up top, Shane Crosse, knew exactly what he had underneath him, making virtually all on the 5/2 second favourite to beat La Joya and Snegurochka by two and three parts of a length and half a length. Only about five and a half lengths separated the first six here, and Ballydoyle market-leader Yankee Stadium came home in fourth. Joseph O’Brien had earlier taken the featured Listowel Printing Works Handicap with progressive three-year-old, Baron Samedi, under Dylan Browne McMonagle. “He’s a big striding horse and I’d say Bellewstown was a bit sharp for him the last day,” said Brendan Powell, representing the Piltown outfit. “Shane said he travelled comfortable today, although he’s still a big baby and he shied away from the stalls when they came around the second time. “He’s going the right way and he’s done that nicely. He’ll be a nice horse next year.” The Stewards informed Eugene M. O'Sullivan, trainer that The Blame Man, would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again. (AM & EM)
